Arrows snatch late equaliser against Celtic

Blomfontein Celtic conceded a dramatic injury time goal to draw 1-1 with Golden Arrows in their Absa Premiership clash at the Seisa Ramabodu stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

After a goalless first half, the game opened up after the interval with the home team Celtic eager to to push forward and snatch the win. Celtic scored first in the 76th minute and seemed on track to record their third win of the season going into extra time, only to concede a late equaliser through shocking defense.

Early on, Celtic midfielder Bennet Chenene found himself on the end of a headed cross that left him with just Arrows keeper Helton Da Rocha to beat, but he lost his composure and sent his shot well-wide in the eighth minute.

In the opening exchanges the midfield was congested with both teams struggling to string passes together.

Arrows started working their way into the game with midfielder Vusumuzi Vilakazi finding himself in space, striking the most commanding shot of the first half to produce a spectacular save from Celtic keeper Patrick Tignyemb in the 25th minute.

Vilakazi soon was presented with another good chance in the 30th minute, he was unmarked at the back of the penalty area from a corner and he scuffed his shot wide with only Tignyemb to beat.

As the opening half headed towards the interval, Arrows began to dominate with superior passing, moving the ball quickly and were clearly better in the midfield.

Celtic looked to sit back and defend, mounting their threats on goal through the counter-attack. Celtic striker, Moses Spandeel showed his team's quick counter ability when he made a run up the middle and released a powerful strike that shaved the upright in the 38th minute.

A minute before the break, Celtic again had a good goal-scoring opportunity when Chenene spotted fellow midfielder Prince Alumo open just outside the Arrows penalty area, again ending in a powerful shot sailing narrowly wide.

In a bizarre role-reversal in the second half, it was Arrows who seemed content to defend, hoping to catch Celtic on the counter-attack. Arrows lost the initiative they showed early in the game, and looked hesitant trying to achieve what would be their first win against Celtic in Bloemfontein.

Arrows were punished n the 76th minute when Celtic scored the game's opening goal through defender Prince Hlela. Celtic were awarded a corner, which they took quickly and sent a cross into the visitors' box and Hlela directed a deft header past Da Rocha into the net to score a well-worked goal.

Alomu hit the Arrows post in the 88th minute with a well struck low header that had Da Rocha beaten which would have secured the result going into extra time.

Arrows captain Joseph Musonda was sent off bizarrely in added time presumably for showing dissent directed at the referee after his team had been awarded a free kick.

Arrows equalized from the ensuing free kick that the Celtic defence should have been able to deal with, but instead the ball was allowed to drop to the ground resulting in a goal-mouth scuffle, with Thamsanqa Gabuza finally nudging the late equalizer home.